Nextbase iQ 4K 3-CH vs. BlackVue DR770X Box 3-CH Full HD Dash Cam Review

Nextbase spent over a year in preparation for the release of the Nextbase IQ, aka their smartest dash cam to date. Highlighting AI capabilities, the Nextbase IQ is expected to have loads of tech inside — thus having a larger-than-usual size for the front-facing camera that also has an interior camera built-in behind. You may also add a rear camera, but it has to be bought separately. For the head unit, the Nextbase IQ’s pill-shaped dash cam comes with a suction mount arm that you have to stick on the windshield – physically enormous and may possibly impede your view, especially with the antennas that stick out the side.

We’re talking about safety and protection, right? If you want a dash cam that will keep you away from thieves and the bad guys, it’s best to choose a model that’s built discreetly, and can be instantly hidden behind your rearview mirror, and this is what the BlackVue DR770X Box offers.

For the first time, BlackVue designed the DR770X Box to be a separate unit from the cameras, carrying the BlackVue dash cam's processor, WiFi source, and memory card. The DR770X Box has three cameras - one each for the front, rear, and interior. These cameras are linked via coaxial video cable to the Box, which serves as the recording unit that can be safely stored in the glovebox or under the seat. This means the Box can be easily kept out of sight, preventing a thief from accessing it, while keeping your dash cam footage safe and private. Beyond that, the DR770X box also includes a coin battery-powered, remote Bluetooth button that can be used to trigger Event recordings manually, as a way to bookmark important files easily.

In terms of video quality and recording capabilities, the new Nextbase IQ has 1K, 2K, and 4K versions. The 1K serves as its full HD dash cam, similar to the DR770X Box. While both dash cams capture 1080P for front, rear, and interior, the IQ and Box still differ due to the image sensors. Nextbase IQ uses an Omnivision sensor, while BlackVue uses the world’s best Sony STARVIS sensors.

We’re not saying that Omnivision is bad in terms of recording, it’s a decent and one of the leading sensors as well, although Sony STARVIS has been number one. Even the 2K QHD variant of the Nextbase IQ can be compared with the DR770X Box’s full HD, because it uses Sony STARVIS image sensors and is equipped with a SigmaStar CPU, ISP tuning, white balance and improved dynamic range, even when driven at night.

While the front camera of the Nextbase IQ 4k model captures 4k, it only captures full HD @ 30 fps for its, interior camera, with 2k in the real . Meanwhile, the DR770X Box’s front dash cam can record full HD, but up to 60 frames per second. Higher frame rate means smoother and more fluid videos, best for capturing details on highways.

If you are set on a 4k model, the latest BlackVue news might be what you need. BlackVue recently announced the launch of the newly upgraded BlackVue DR970X series, now with Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 image sensors. What’s even more exciting is that the DR970X, previously available in front-only, dual-channel, and built-in LTE, will soon be available in three channels with the all-new DR970X Box 3-CH Dash Cam. That’s right, both 4k an Sony STARVIS 2 are coming to the Box camera.

In terms of parking Protection, both the Nextbase IQ and DR770X Box can watch your vehicle, even when the engine is off, and you’re away, thanks to parking mode.

With the DR770X Box, when someone walks in front of any of the front, rear, or interior cameras that you have set around the car, you can be confident that the camera will record that motion footage, as well as any impacts or forcible entrances attempted. It also offers Loop Recording, Intelligent Parking Mode, Impact/Motion Detection, and Time Lapse Recording. Once the dash cam is hardwired or hooked up to a battery pack, it will switch to parking mode automatically when the car’s ignition is turned off. The DR770X Box comes with a built-in voltage monitor to protect your vehicle battery, and a voltage cutoff timer can be set in the BlackVue app.

Meanwhile, to activate parking mode, the Nextbase IQ comes with an OBD power cable, similar to the Thinkware U3000. You can simply plug it into your car’s OBD port and you’re good to go. We appreciate how convenient it is, and we are also impressed with the Parking Mode capabilities of the IQ. Through a feature called Smart Sense Parking, the iQ uses proprietary AI-powered sensing technology to constantly analyze movement, correctly identify potential threats, and send instant notifications so you can quickly react in case of incidents when parked. However, you can only enjoy this feature if you subscribe to Nextbase’s Protect Plan, which costs $9.99 USD per month

Now this is where the Nextbase IQ has a lot in store this time. Nextbase didn’t name the IQ as the smartest AI dash cam to date for nothing.

Aside from Smart Sense Parking, the Nextbase IQ also boasts Witness Mode that allows for voice-activated, instant cloud video storage of a 30-minute block, along with notifications sent to an emergency contact. In the event of a serious accident, the IQ’s Emergency SOS feature automatically alerts emergency services, providing crucial location and life-saving information. With voice activation, you can effortlessly command privacy features, mute functions, and activate Witness Mode for convenience.

We’re also impressed to know that Nextbase IQ has the Cloud, similar to how BlackVue does it, thanks to its built-in 4G. This is compatible with devices using T-Mobile, particularly in the USA and Canada. You can access files and more through the IQ app, including the Live View function for real-time monitoring of your vehicle's interior and surroundings. It also features live streaming, audible alarms, two-way communication, video history access, and more. Finally, the Driving/Security Mode seamlessly switches between driving and parking modes, actively scanning for threats while preserving your car's battery life.

The BlackVue DR770X Box also has plenty of features that only the premium brands have. Enhancing protection, the BlackVue DR770X Box has innovated security with an alarm. Once the head unit itself has been disconnected from the Box unit, the Box itself will enter into an emergency mode, blaring loud and proud like a true car alarm - loud enough to scare those bad guys trying to break in.

Talking about the Cloud features, the Remote Live View feature allows you to check on your car from anywhere. This is useful if you leave your car unattended, or when someone else drives your vehicle, or when you’re managing a fleet for your business. Any time of day, as long as the camera is connected to the Cloud, you can also review videos stored on your devices through the Video Playback feature. The moment an impact is detected, your BlackVue DR770X Box will automatically send a notification to your phone or your web browser, accompanied by a snapshot for reference.

The latest addition to the BlackVue Cloud features, which the DR770X Box is equipped with is the Event Map. Designed particularly for the BlackVue community, the Event Map feature combines data from the dash cam with a crowd-sourced map to display events such as impacts, hard brake incidents, and even playback videos - making it ideal for both fleet management and personal driving.

BlackVue doesn’t let you lose your precious footage, especially with its Live-Event Auto Upload feature. This feature allows the dash cam to automatically upload live streams or recording files in low resolution to BlackVue Cloud. You can also use the Video Backup feature to directly upload files from your BlackVue dash cam to the Cloud.

Using the newly redesigned BlackVue App on your smartphone or tablet, you see in real-time where your vehicle is located and detailed tracking of the vehicle’s route. The Box also supports Seamless Pairing, so pretty much one tap from the BlackVue app on your phone and you’re connected to the dash cam.

For faster internet connectivity, you can also connect the DR770X Box to the CM100G LTE module that can transform to a mobile hotspot router instantly. So if there’s anyone inside your car that needs to connect to the internet, the DR770X Box will serve its purpose.

Both dash cams have a lot of features, but here’s the catch. With Nextbase IQ, you can only enjoy all of the amazing ones like Real-time image notifications, Live View, Smart Sense Parking, Witness mode, *Roadwatch AI, *Guardian Mode, Remote Alarm, Emergency SOS, Automated incident backup if you subscribe to their Protect Plus Plan, which now costs $19.99 per month. With BlackVue, you get them for free.

Nextbase and BlackVue are both premium dash cams, so you can expect a high price tag. A BlackVue DR770X Box is priced at $449.99 USD, including the hardwire kit, all 3 cameras, Cloud features, and a 64 GB micro SD card. Meanwhile, the Nextbase IQ Ai dash cam full HD costs $499.99 for the front and interior camera unit. The optional rear camera can be obtained for $199.99 USD, and if you want to enjoy the full smart features, you will have to pay an additional $9.99 to $19.99 USD every month. That’s close to spending a thousand dollars for the first year!

We can’t deny that the Nextbase IQ is a truly impressive dash cam, considering the upgrades in terms of channel configurations and features, especially the Cloud! It seems that Nextbase put so much effort into making the Nextbase IQ the smartest AI dash cam a driver could have. But of course, it comes with a price.

For us, the verdict still tilts in favor of the BlackVue DR770X Box. Not only does it offer a proven range of premium features that come at no additional cost, but its more discreet design, superior image sensors, and robust parking mode capabilities set it apart.

The BlackVue DR770X Box, priced at only $449.99 USD, includes everything you need for comprehensive protection. In contrast, the Nextbase IQ, with additional costs for its Protect Plus Plan, can quickly reach nearly a thousand dollars in the first year. While both models are fully featured, it’s BlackVue which we can recommend in terms of security, protection, and value for money.